Voice of the people (letter).

Cha's Challenge

CHICAGO — The Chicago Housing Authority accepts the Tribune's challenge ("Stormy performance by CHA," Editorial, Jan. 26). To better serve residents in emergency situations, we are seeking ways to expand resources to step up the timetable to repair, rehab or replace all substandard housing.

Although the blizzard of '99 caused more than 150 families to be temporarily relocated, the end result will actually have a positive impact on redevelopment at Robert Taylor. By closing buildings with high vacancies and rehabbing others for relocation purposes, better housing will be provided. In addition, land will be made available sooner for productive use that includes job opportunities.

The CHA's mission to provide affordable housing in viable communities throughout Chicago is a tough prospect that continues to take us through uncharted but unavoidable territory. The plan is to supplement available funds with an aggressive effort to seek and secure private and public sector partners.

As units are rehabbed, it is important to once again concentrate on the CHA long-term plan for creating viable communities. The CHA, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development and the City of Chicago are making groundbreaking accomplishments to redevelop the city's historically troubled public housing. In the last few years, the CHA has secured more than $150 million in federal grants. As a result, more than 2,000 units have been rehabbed, 1,200 units demolished and 500 new units built. Construction has been approved for 3,278 additional new mixed-income units, of which 1,467 will be reserved for public housing.

Public housing in Chicago is no longer the housing of last resort. Although public housing in America has been challenged as failed public policy, recent efforts emphasize that public housing is affordable housing. Recognizing the shrinking resource of affordable housing options, the CHA has implemented new leases, and enforced screening and higher standards.

Bricks and mortar alone will not allow the CHA to achieve our mission, so the CHA is directing resources toward strengthening the families who will occupy each CHA development. Economic conditions do change and many of the low-income families relocated now can be the employed, upwardly mobile and even successful entrepreneurs.

CHA residents and staff are partnering with the Chicago-area community at large. Together this partnership recognizes that viable communities benefit everyone.